By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Children and teenagers may soon learn swimming compulsorily.
Sen. Miriam Defensor–Santiago filed a bill that seeks to include swimming lessons in primary and secondary school curriculums.
Under Section 2 of Senate Bill 2376, swimming lessons shall be a part of the subject Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health, or Mapeh.
Citing a study by United Nations Children’s Fund, Santiago said drowning is the second leading cause of death among Filipino children aged 14 years and below.
“It is the fourth leading cause of death from injury in the country,” she said.
Swimming is a regular subject in schools in Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France, Sweden, Denman, Norway, and Finland, the Ilongga senator said.
Santiago said her proposal will help prevent children from drowning during floods.
“The country is often visited by typhoons causing flash floods and turbulent seas, which undeniably cost the lives of Filipinos,” she said.
The bill directs the Department of Education, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the provisions of the Act.
Santiago cited Article 2, Section 13 of the Constitution in filing the measure.
It stated that “the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.”/PN
